500 clutch repacement?

I'll be working on the 500 this winter to get it ready to paint up nice this spring. I'm wondering if I should replace the clutch?

It shows no sign of problems and there is plenty of freeplay and the adjuster cam has spaces for more. There's a bit over 5000 hours on the meter. I have no records that it has ever been replaced despite the previous 2 owners being pretty good about keeping notes on what has been done to the tractor.

I'm a big fan of "if it ain't broke, don't go fixin it". Despite that it would be a shame to get it all painted up then 6 months later have to split it for the clutch.

Anyone with experiences or opinions?
 
That's gonna be one of those judgement calls based on your checkbook and ambition. I'll just tell you this,when I put the new clutch,pressure plate,throw out bearing,pilot bearing and had the flywheel resurfaced in my 2-105,I sure wish I would have put a new seal in the front of the over under. So doing something while you have the chance is usually a good idea.
 
There is this little voice in the back of my head saying "you'll regret not doing it". I probably ought to go buy some fortune cookies and see what they say. Anyone have a crystal ball?

Another factor is the "one thing leads to another" issue. Pull the flywheel to surface it, well I probably ought to replace the rear main seal, then since the pan is off probably ought to look at the main bearings and rod bearings........
 
I know what you mean. If it wasn't a daily user,I'd definitely say leave it alone. I'm just changing oil and filters,then checking for leaks and calling it good mechanically on the orchard.
I got the orchard fenders off that one today by the way. The regular fenders underneath don't look too awful bad. A few cracks here and there. The left one has a little bend in it,but the orchard fender on that side is kinda rough too. They must have hooked something with it. Neither one's as bad as they were on my gasser by a long shot. The cross box isn't great,but I think I can fix it myself and won't have to replace it.
 
......The cross box isn't great,but I think I can fix it myself and won't have to replace it.

My fenders are OK and can be made decent with a bit of work. My crossbox is probably beyond salvage. I can get one made locally or order from England. I'll have to do some pricing. England will likely be better since I need to order a seat and brackets and the fender lights. I'll be paying a sizable shipping bill anyway so probably not too much more for the crossbox.
 
I got a steering wheel,tach,tach cable,side lights,I forget what else,but mainly small parts,from England. Shipping on that stuff was $95. When I priced the crossbox,fenders,fender braces and battery box covers,the shipping was gonna be $600. The price of the parts was just over $1000 US. I had the fender patched up and the rest of the parts made for $850.
 
That sure jumped up from $95 to $600. Fenders are so big that was possibly the culprit, but the crossbox is not small either. I just may be sketching that crossbox up and having it made here.

One of my fender supports is mostly rusted out. That looks like a tough one to make without the proper tooling. Probably have to get that from England.

Are you using the original headlights? Mine have decent bodies, but the reflectors are really rusty and the sockets are pretty corroded too. I'm wondering if there is a sealed beam headlight that fits the headlight body worth a darn.
 
BTW, I saw your body work over on the tractor talk forum. Looks like you have a pretty solid and straight hood to work with. Years ago, I tipped mine into a ditch when plowing to close to the edge and it sloughed off. That bent the hood badly (radiator too) so I had lots of straightening to do.
 
The lens are in my headlights OK. It looks like the chrome is coming off the reflectors a little. I need to put some power to them and see if they work. The tail light isn't so good. The lens is broke out of it,the reflector looks rough and the bulb is either gone or broke off. I thought about trying to find a sealed beam too. DB Parts Ltd has those lights. I should check and see if they have the reflectors and lens separate,I could fix the ones I have.

I think the one on my gasser is off a Ford 8N or something. That's what Royse said he thougth it was and he's a Ford guy. I bought that one at a flea market for a couple of bucks.

I had those intricate fender braces made too. They look perfect. He said he had five separate pieces in each one of them and tig welded them all together.
 

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